Harlan Ellison
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 Harlan Ellison ALONE AGAINST TOMORROW 1971 BCE $12.95 Time Remaining: 13d 22h 53m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 APPROACHING OBLIVION By HARLAN ELLISON HC DJ 1974 $5.99 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 31m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 INFINITY SCIENCE FICTION April 1957 Harlan Ellison $20.00 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 7m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
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 HARLAN ELLISON Lovecraft Retrospective LIMITED EDITION TRAYCASE $595.00 Time Remaining: 3d 18h 15m Buy It Now for only: $595.00 |
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 Harlan Ellison Sex Gang as by Paul Merchant Nightstand NB1503 1959 1st Fine $1,500.00 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 17m Buy It Now for only: $1,500.00 |
 1964 sci fi fanzine RIVERSIDE QUARTERLY Harlan Ellison $15.00 Time Remaining: 6d 5h 46m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 DOOMSMAN HARLAN ELLISON THIEF OF THOTH LIN CARTER 1972 BELMONT 50244 DOUBLE PB $9.50 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 35m Buy It Now for only: $9.50 |
 HARLAN ELLISON Deathbird Stories COLLIER 19 short PAINGOD Basilisk NEON Corpse+ $6.99 Time Remaining: 13d 23h 18m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 Harlan Ellison Rumble 1963 Vintage Pulp Fiction Paperback Street Gangs Rare PB $69.99 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 13m Buy It Now for only: $69.99 |
 STALKING THE NIGHTMARE HARLAN ELLISON PHANTASIA PRESS 1982 LTD DJ 135 OF 700 $74.50 Time Remaining: 18d 3h 4m Buy It Now for only: $74.50 |
 Harlan Ellison Earthman Go Home 1964 PB $5.95 Time Remaining: 18d 18h 44m Buy It Now for only: $5.95 |
 BEAST THAT SHOUTED LOVE AT HEART OF THE WORLD SIGNED by Harlan Ellison PBO $50.00 Time Remaining: 14d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Worlds of If March 1968 Harlan Ellison Larry Niven Lin Carter Frederik Pohl $6.18 Time Remaining: 13d 1h 55m Buy It Now for only: $6.18 |
 STALKING THE NIGHTMARE HARLAN ELLISON 1982 SCI FI HC DJ BOOK NM $37.00 Time Remaining: 25d 54m Buy It Now for only: $37.00 |
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 NO DOORS NO WINDOWS HARLAN ELLISON PYRAMID 1975 1ST ED PAPERBACK PB $5.50 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $5.50 |
 Harlan Ellison Science Fiction IMAGINATION October 1958 $15.00 Time Remaining: 5d 18h 21m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 HARLAN ELLISON FRANK MILLER Mefisto in Onyx SIGNED $1,800.00 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 33m Buy It Now for only: $1,800.00 |
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 Harlan Ellison Run for the Stars Tor double $3.99 Time Remaining: 2d 1h 28m |
 Approaching Oblivion by Harlan Ellison 1977 UK P B $7.00 Time Remaining: 25d 1m Buy It Now for only: $7.00 |
 APPROACHING OBLIVION HARLAN ELLISON SIGNET 1975 1ST PB ED CRICHTON FORWARD $4.50 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 32m Buy It Now for only: $4.50 |
 THE SAVOY BOOK 1978 Brian Aldiss int Harlan Ellison $40.00 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 PARTNERS IN WONDER BY HARLAN ELLISON MARCH 1983 ACE SF PB BOOK $8.95 Time Remaining: 2h 11m Buy It Now for only: $8.95 |
 ELLISON WONDERLAND HARLAN ELLISON SIGNET 1974 1ST ED PAPERBACK PB $4.50 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $4.50 |
 Harlan Ellison Rumble Pyramid F866 2nd new cover fine signed $75.00 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 17m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 Alone Against Tomorrow 1971 Harlan Ellison Science Fiction HBDJ BCE $9.99 Time Remaining: 25d 13h 19m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 HARLAN ELLISON SF Book Club THINGS TO COME March 1970 $20.00 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 56m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 FROM THE LAND OF FEAR HARLAN ELLISON VINTAGE PAPERBACK $24.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 29m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Spider Kiss by Harlan Ellison 1982 $6.98 Time Remaining: 27d 48m Buy It Now for only: $6.98 |
 MIND FIELDS Ltd Edition by YERKA HARLAN ELLISON $175.00 Time Remaining: 2d 19h 40m Buy It Now for only: $175.00 |
 ULTRA FILMFAX 63 64 1998 Harlan Ellison Robert Culp $12.00 Time Remaining: 16d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $12.00 |
 FSF Magazines August 1972 Basilisk by Harlan Ellison $7.50 Time Remaining: 2d 21h 17m Buy It Now for only: $7.50 |
 1969 Science Fiction fanzine CROSSROADS Harlan Ellison $35.00 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Harlan Ellison Spider Kiss Rockabilly pyramid paperback $5.00 Time Remaining: 18d 2h 8m Buy It Now for only: $5.00 |
 1974 SF BOOK CLUB THINGS TO COME Harlan Ellison promo $30.00 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 59m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 Vintage AN EDGE IN MY VOICE by Harlan Ellison 1985 Essays by Ellison $49.99 Time Remaining: 4d 4h 54m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 |
 Harlan Ellison The Harlan Ellison Hornbook signed $38.25 Time Remaining: 6d 21h 22m Buy It Now for only: $38.25 |
 1972 Science Fiction fanzine ANANT 2 Harlan Ellison $20.00 Time Remaining: 26d 14h Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 unsigned art plate from the 1980 Harlan Ellison RBCC $20.00 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 HARLAN ELLISON Fantasy Science Fiction Harlan $20.00 Time Remaining: 11d 5h 55m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Phoenix Without Ashes by Harlan Ellison Edward Bryant Signed First Edition $49.00 Time Remaining: 20d 32m Buy It Now for only: $49.00 |
 Harlan Ellison NO DOORS NO WINDOWS Ace 1st PB $12.95 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 33m Buy It Now for only: $12.95 |
 THE HOWLING MAN by Charles Beaumont 1992 paperback Harlan Ellison Ray Bradbury $30.00 Time Remaining: 13d 3h 32m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 ANGRY CANDY Easton Press HARLAN ELLISON SIGNED 1ST FINE $69.99 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 30m Buy It Now for only: $89.99 |
 Harlan Ellison SHATTERDAY Berkley Books PB 1982 $14.95 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 51m Buy It Now for only: $14.95 |
 SIGNED Harlan Ellison ALONE AGAINST TOMORROW Alienation in Speculative Fiction $59.99 Time Remaining: 12d 17h 24m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 1978 Science Fiction fanzine THRUST 11 Harlan Ellison $15.00 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 ALONE AGAINST TOMORROW Harlan Ellison HC DJ $30.00 Time Remaining: 8d 5h Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 HARLAN ELLISON Approaching Oblivion SIGNET W7718 PB $5.99 Time Remaining: 19d 23h 50m Buy It Now for only: $5.99 |
 1968 Science Fiction fanzine NOLAZINE 6 Harlan Ellison $30.00 Time Remaining: 20d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 1990 BLOOMSBURY REVIEW article by Harlan Ellison $30.00 Time Remaining: 24d 8h 9m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 1952 fanzine SCIENCE FICTION NEWSLETTER 27 Harlan Ellison convention photo $40.00 Time Remaining: 28d 18h 37m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 Harlan Ellison Rockabilly 1st signed VG+ Gold Medal S1161 $150.00 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 17m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 |
 1970 Fanzine MARVELMANIA 4 Barry Smith Conan Harlan Ellison Joe Sinnott $50.00 Time Remaining: 17d 1h 28m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 DANGEROUS VISIONS HARLAN ELLISON HARDCOVER 1ST ED 1967 DJ PHILIP K DICK ASIIMOV $179.50 Time Remaining: 22d 23h 50m Buy It Now for only: $179.50 |
 1967 DOOMSMAN Harlan Ellison TELEPOWER Lee Hoffman $15.00 Time Remaining: 5d 18h 21m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 PARTNERS IN WONDER Harlan Ellison 1972 Bill Rotsler $15.00 Time Remaining: 9d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 1976 SIX SCIENCE FICTION PLAYS Harlan Ellison STAR TREK $35.00 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 41m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 SIGNED HARLAN ELLISON Shatterday SPECULATIVE SCIENCE FICTION 1980 VG with DJ $98.99 Time Remaining: 12d 22h 11m Buy It Now for only: $98.99 |
 1987 Fanzine MYSTERY SCENE 13 Harlan Ellison letter $30.00 Time Remaining: 6d 3h 56m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 Ace Double D 413 Harlan Ellison The Man With Nine Lives Touch Of Infinity $27.50 Time Remaining: 7d 5h 7m Buy It Now for only: $27.50 |
 Color key RBCC 151 1980 Harlan Ellison issue cover $50.00 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 39m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Harlan Ellison DEATHBIRD STORIES Collier 1st PB 1990 $19.95 Time Remaining: 25d 3h 41m Buy It Now for only: $19.95 |
 MIDNIGHT GRAFFITI 1 Harlan Ellison HP Lovecraft $15.00 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 15m Buy It Now for only: $15.00 |
 DREAM MAKERS interviews Harlan Ellison Ray Bradbury Kurt Vonnegut Isaac Asimov $35.00 Time Remaining: 23d 17h 18m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 HARLAN ELLISON Angry Candy $40.00 Time Remaining: 8d 20h 57m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 COMICS JOURNAL 126 1989 Harlan Ellison Runs Amok $30.00 Time Remaining: 24d 4h 1m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 SLIPPAGE SIGNED by Harlan Ellison short stories 1st US $45.00 Time Remaining: 3d 2h Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 3 Vintage HARLAN ELLISON Paperbacks Ace GLASS TEAT Gentleman Junkie + $9.99 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 58m |
 HARLAN ELLISON Slippage 1ST ED ADVANCED PROOF $35.00 Time Remaining: 10d 6h 53m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Color key RBCC 151 1980 Harlan Ellison issue cover $50.00 Time Remaining: 8d 7h 41m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 1974 Sci Fi fanzine WSFA JOURNAL 84 Harlan Ellison $40.00 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 40m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 Harlan Ellison The Juvies Ace D513 1st fine signed by Ellison $250.00 Time Remaining: 15d 20h 17m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 MedeaHarlans World Harlan Ellison Signed 1st HC $100.00 Time Remaining: 3d 7h 55m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 The Juvies Harlan Ellison 1st Ace PB RARE 1961 $215.00 Time Remaining: 18d 13h 12m Buy It Now for only: $215.00 |
 Horror MIDNIGHT GRAFFITI SPECIAL Clive Barker Harlan Ellison Frank Darabont $40.00 Time Remaining: 21d 3h 13m Buy It Now for only: $40.00 |
 Leather Easton Press Harlan Ellison Angry Candy Signed 1st 1988 $93.75 Time Remaining: 16d 2h 12m Buy It Now for only: $93.75 |
 OMNIBUS 1st 1st Edition EDGEWORKS V2 Harlan Ellison SPIDER KISS STALKING $35.00 Time Remaining: 19d 16h 29m Buy It Now for only: $35.00 |
 Spider Kiss Harlan Ellison Signed Limited HC in Slipcase VF 31 100 copies $100.00 Time Remaining: 5d 16h 54m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 ANGRY CANDY Harlan Ellison 1st Printing HC DJ NF NF $60.00 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 24m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 1980 Advance Reading Copy of Playboy Press GALAXY anthology Harlan Ellison $60.00 Time Remaining: 13d 6h 5m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 HARLAN ELLISON Fantasy Science Fiction 1975 CROATOAN $20.00 Time Remaining: 9d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 Sleepless Nights In the Procrustean Bed Harlan Ellison $95.00 Time Remaining: 15d 21h 41m Buy It Now for only: $95.00 |
 ALONE AGAINST TOMORROW Harlan Ellison 1st Printing HC DJ VG VG $80.00 Time Remaining: 10d 5h 12m Buy It Now for only: $80.00 |
 BEAST THAT SHOUTED LOVE AT THE HEART OF WORLD Harlan Ellison 1st HC DJ VNF NF $100.00 Time Remaining: 14d 4h 45m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 Harlan Ellison The Juvies Ace D 513 RARE pp Original $250.00 Time Remaining: 10d 21h 46m Buy It Now for only: $250.00 |
 Harlan Ellison ANGRY CANDY 1988 Illus1st Ed HC DJ $59.95 Time Remaining: 18d 4h Buy It Now for only: $59.95 |
 HARLAN ELLISON Fantasy Sci Fi Jan 1969 Gahan Wilson $30.00 Time Remaining: 9d 3h 2m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 PAINGOD SIGNED by Harlan Ellison 1st US PBO short stories $60.00 Time Remaining: 22d 11m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 |
 Ellison Harlan PAINGOD AND OTHER DELUSIONS 1st $50.00 Time Remaining: 24d 3h 24m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 PULPHOUSE A FICTION MAGAZINE 6 1991 Harlan Ellison $30.00 Time Remaining: 21d 8m Buy It Now for only: $30.00 |
 MEDEA HARLANS WORLD SIGNED by Harlan Ellison 1st US non fiction fiction $100.00 Time Remaining: 16d 2h 29m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
Harlan Ellison
Erotic Authors and Writing Under a Pen Name
So you’re an author (or an aspiring author) who has an interest in writing erotic fiction. But many authors worry about using their real name when penning erotic pieces, for several reasons. Several famous authors who at one point, sooner or later in their careers, wrote erotica chose a pen name, including Harlan Ellison and Anne Rice. Some, like David Sedaris, write erotica under their own name.
However, the fact that it is known that these authors wrote erotica has a lot to do with their current day popularity. If you are considering using a pen name, be aware that it is not only acceptable but also the general practice. For many authors, the pen name is akin to the stage name; despite the lofty cerebral aspirations of writing, a lot of writing success is still based on marketing. While writers often wish that people did not judge a book by its cover, the truth is, we all do. We judge two hour movies based on thirty second trailers, and we remember actors’ names based on their catchiness. Authors are unfortunately, not immune to this, and choosing a pen name when writing erotica is actually an opportunity to start marketing before the book is even written.
However, there are many other reasons to consider when deciding if you should use a pen name.
First, there is separation between your real life and your written works. Many erotic fiction writers are women; and like it or not, some people cannot separate fantasy from reality, and thus a woman who writes erotic fiction might be thought of a sexually available and exhibitionist when is isn’t true. It’s sort of the same issue with the actors on the Sopranos – many people actually believe they are gangsters, not thespians. Actors who are well known for recurring villain roles have many stories of being reprimanded on the street by fans that could not separate the fact that the actor was not the character.
Thus, it is beyond mere prudishness that someone might choose to employ a pen name. It can be a method of separation between an author’s real life and the written word. Stephen King has stated that in the books he’s written which reveal details of his life, he has changed details and street names to prevent people from invading too much of his privacy. Men who write erotica might not face the same exact issues as female authors, but there is more than enough reason to create a veil of secrecy around your life. Be aware that writing under a pen name does not mean you can’t do radio interviews or podcasts, any more than an actor would. However, if your writing career advances to a point where you are as popular as say, Dean Koontz. You might want to consider changing your tactics then.
Another reason to use a pen name is because some authors may want to try different styles, and sell to different genres. A writer of romance may want to tackle fetish erotica, but may want to establish two distinct pen names to do so; authors are also artists, and often like to experiment, and it is easier to do so if readers are not aware of an author’s existing works. I suspect that the reverse is true for aforementioned authors such as Anne Rice, whose erotica probably remains a consistent back list seller simply because of her current day notoriety.
As an editor, I am often asked by new authors (or, at least new to erotic fiction), about using a pen name and they often express anxiety that the publisher will use their real name. They envision a racy title finding its way to the bookshelves with their real name plastered all over it, and they imagine the mortification they would feel if everyone they knew suddenly saw it. While this is a most unlikely scenario, I must state that no serious publisher would ever use an author’s name if the author did not want to, and that publishers of erotic fiction are more than aware that many authors want to use pen names. If you are paranoid, ask for a line or two in the contract about which pen name will be used and that your real name never be used without your written permission.
Also be aware that even if you write a best-selling erotica book, your name is not likely to be all over the New York Times best seller list and your name is not likely unique. A quick visit to the web site howmanyofme.com reveals that there are 221 people in the United States named Anne Rice and 1,563 people with the name Stephen King. There are even 19 people named William Shakespeare. The point is, just because it’s your name doesn’t mean people all over the world will even know it’s you. If it makes you feel better to use a pen name, do so, but also realize that it’s probably more for your mental awareness than anyone else’s.
Now one thing I personally recommend to authors is make sure that your contracts with any publisher list your real name, not just your pen name. Contracts should list both if desired, but the rights established and the length of the contract is assigned to you. There is some legal wrangling that can be done in many cases to get your rights when it is not accurately represented in the contract, but why worry about that? Get it in writing right up front. One publisher I work with, Sensorotika Press, has told me on several occasions that most authors never really look at their contracts, and that even though the publisher attempts to create fair, thoroughly defined contracts, authors constantly return to ask questions long after the contract is in place and in effect. The issue of authors and their contracts is too much for this article, but as it pertains to your pseudonym, this is a business for both the publisher and the author, and if the author feels more security having their pen name and the like in writing, then they should say so.
About the Author
Sebastion Wallace is a freelance author and contributing editor for erotic fiction publisher Sensorotika Press. Recent works include contributions to Erotika: Bedtime Stories and the upcoming Sweet Tea & You.
Can anybody recommend a good science fiction book?
Hi there, i'm looking to get some new books and kind of stumped about what to look for. I really like science fiction. Some of my favorite books are, the sirens of titan by vonnegut, caves of steel by asimov, most books by philip k dick, i have no mouth and i must scream by harlan ellison, the androids dream by john scalzi, Gateway by fred pohl, and plenty more. I do not like fantasy books, or hard sci fi really. If there is anything i can add to help just let me know.
Thank you
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card (1st book in the series) - my favorite
Aliens have attacked Earth twice and almost destroyed the human species. To make sure humans win the next encounter, the world government has taken to breeding military geniuses -- and then training them in the arts of war... The early training, not surprisingly, takes the form of 'games'... Ender Wiggin is a genius among geniuses; he wins all the games...
Dune, Frank Herbert
Adult: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Harlan Ellison -- Pay the Writer